Mizukage Tower.

[Naitome]

enter.

It had been a difficult place to locate.

Though the tallest building within the Hidden Mist Village, all pathways leading to the Tower seemed to corkscrew uncontrollably away from any discernible entrance. The awkward hush filling in the vacancies of nearby buildings allowed the cracking of worn foundation to echo out like footprints that left the eerie impression of being followed, and with his cloak tucked tightly against his body, Akuharu tread a dizzying path around corners of recently reinforced steel, trying to find his way. By the time he'd realized he'd been walking in circles, the space between two oddly adjacent alley's had become his only means of continuing on, and he walked sideways through their center for an hour with a huff of frustration before coming at last to a large door. Looking up, he saw a black spire, crowded in by mist and congested with bizarre architecture stolen from a thousand different places. He knocked against the heavy steel door, and was allowed inside.

There were only a few others within the Tower itself, the door leading to an open lobby where several busy men seemed consumed with work. Some carried papers, others large covered packages shaped like swords or coffins or what were only ambiguously ill defined clumps of black cloth; some cleaned or took notes chattering amongst themselves between the flickering of porcelain masks. Though there was a small waiting area off to the right side, other shinobi from the village were scarce, and it seemed to the new Chuunin that rumors of the Mizukage's isolation were closer to truth than fiction.

He walked about the lobby, unsure of what to do or who to speak to. He'd been called personally by the Mizukage, a man he'd never met or seen, and had no true understanding of exactly what he might be wanted for.

He could only wander the wide open space, hoping someone might help, and also trying to stay out of the way.

[Nujabes]

The door leading to the Mizukage's building opened once again, shortly after Akuharu had entered, albeit more forcefully and boisterous. Strangely enough, none of the men within the main chamber seemed disturbed by the abrupt arrival - they all knew the Mizukage's style and mannerisms far too well, having served directly beneath him the last few months, to let a little door-kicking startle them. Instead, they simply continued on with their duties and conversations, as if their leader hadn't just come waltzing into the establishment. It wasn't until he passed them by that, with a conditioned sense of duty, that they paused their task and bowed.

Dressed only in his leather pants, lacking both the jacket and boots he was typically seen wearing, it was safe to say that Akira was a mess. Everything from his head to his waist was literally doused in sweat, so much that his shock of white hair clung to each and every chiseled definition of his face; meanwhile, the muscles of his unnaturally large frame gleamed in the fragile rays of light that poured in through the many windows.

He was scratching his head, eyes closed as he walked further into the room, when he passed Akuharu entirely. Completely unaware of the recently promoted Chuunin, he would have kept walking had a young lady not hesitantly bounced in his way. Before speaking, she offered the Water Shadow a towel.

"Mizukage-sama," she whispered. "The boy-- I mean, the Chuunin you requested to see. That's him."

Akira paused, half-twisting at the waist to glance back at the young man. "Oh?" Plucking the fluffy white cloth from her grasp, he wrapped it around his shoulders and slowly, mechanically pull and tug on either side, one after the other. "Apologies. I'd completely forgotten about our meeting - I went on a run around the country." Yes, he ran around the entirety of Mizu no Kuni in only a couple of hours, every day of every week. "Had to clear my mind about some things. But please, follow me up to my office."

Not waiting for the Uchiha, Akira was already on his way up the stairs. It wasn't a long climb to reach the first room of his office, which was in fact a fully equipped training facility. Once the doors had slid shut, business began.

"First, congratulations on your victory in the Chuunin Exams. I don't think I need to tell you that you've made your people proud." His smile was genuine, cutting his face in half like a carpenter's knife. "But, that isn't why I called you here. . . which I'm sure you've deduced, already. Simply put, there are certain items that belong to us -- to Kirigakure, and Mizu no Kuni as a whole -- and I want them back. The Legendary Seven Swords, to be exact."

"I have already personally undertaken the task of finding one, and I have also made preparations to acquire another. However, that's only two out of seven - five are still missing. Considering the level of skill you demonstrated in the exams, I want you to assist me in recovering these relics." Snapping his fingers, a figure appeared kneeling beside Akuharu, clad in white and masked. In their hand was a file, and once it had been taken, the shinobi vanished.

"A dossier on all of the weapons, including any tips we've managed to gather since their disappearances. It might come in handy. It goes without saying that, should these relics be in the hands of foreign ninja, you are permitted to use any means necessary to reclaim that which is rightfully ours. However, do not do so lightly - make sure they are the correct target before engaging them. As important as these weapons are to our people, we cannot acquire them recklessly; the last thing this world needs is another international crisis." Tilting his head to the side, a disgusting pop reverberated from beneath the flesh of his neck. "Any questions?"

[Naitome]

Throughout the surrounding busyness of the lobby, a new tension emerged, followed by the loud clang of a metal door swung wide. A man entered, easily a foot taller than Akuharu, and oddly colored; he looked more a native of the Kaze No Kuni deserts than the Land of Water, and while his appearance seemed strange and garish to the newly appointed Chuunin, it was evident from the placating tone of those observing his intrusion, that he was someone considered very important within the village.

A woman pointed towards Akuharu, whispered brief words, and the man approached him speaking quickly and without bothering with an introduction.

Apologies. I'd completely forgotten about our meeting - I went on a run around the country. Had to clear my mind about some things. But please, follow me up to my office.

His office? And it clicked suddenly. This man is the Mizukage.

Hai.

Akuharu offered simply, following in the man's shadow as he ascended the nearby stairs that led into a large room that seemed more a place to hone ones skills than to discuss the high-minded effluvia of politics. The door closed behind him, and the Mizukage explained to him what he'd need.

The Kirigakure chuunin listened; his eyes darting easily around the room, noting the lack of visible bodyguards, the equipment that could be used for any number of things no normally sized man would be able to lift, the careless position of towels draped over nearly every surface suggesting their frequent use. His eyes narrowed as he heard the phrase "Legendary Seven Swords", the Mizukage grinning at him awkwardly, and Akuharu's normal look of solemn apathy did not change in the slightest.

When asked if he had any question, he spoke up.

I have several, though neither of us likely have the time for them to be answered. What i will do instead, is make a request;

Those who might already own or protect these swords will no doubt be powerful; and as they have remained largely hidden for some time, it is unlikely that as you plot to collect them all, their guardians would simultaneously seek to suddenly use them. That being said, there is probably some amount of time before, at my current skill level, I am even able to locate one of these swords.

As you no doubt are already aware, prior to these Chuunin Exams, I had only been a shinobi for a grand total of one month, and as successful as my performance during the Chuunin's may have been; it will not be enough to contend with those who might possess such legendary power.

He stared into the Mizukage's eyes, and for the first time, seemed something other than bored as he continued.

I request that, before I begin 'collecting', I undergo the necessary training and trials to become a Jounin - ANBU of Kirigakure No Sato. If I cannot pass those trials first, then surely I will be unable to collect The Seven Legendary Swords, and as logic would dictate, they aren't going anywhere anytime soon. It would also make more sense to give others the chance to collect them first from whatever ancient ruins they are hidden within, and thus change my task from one of endless searching, to simple tracking and assassination...something which becoming ANBU, and a Jounin, would allow me to easily accomplish.

[Sharkk]

From the underground tunnel and through the streets of the Hidden Mist Village, Ashur was nothing, but a blur to untrained eyes. How many steps had he taken since leaving Earth Country? Thousands no doubt, millions perhaps. Though with the pace he had kept up, the latter still seemed a bit of an exaggeration. The familiar climate wrapped Ashur in a tight jacket of an habitual bond that he held with his home village. Grin still spread on his face, he worked his way around carts, people, pets, anything that managed to step in his path without noticing he was sprinting. Hands at his sides to keep resistance in his speed as low as possible, the thought process of a child plagued his mind.

He couldn't wait to reveal everything he had been through recently to the Mizukage, to tell him how he had successfully killed, well helped kill...Prepared to help kill more so than anything. Nonetheless he had killed a foreign Mokuton shinobi after obtaining his Sharingan. He had also reestablished Kouketsu's old criminal bonds with various gangs and business about the shinobi world, although he was certain the Mizukage didn't want to hear that. But, the major things he was sure the Mizukage would be interested in was Ashur's vial of Mokuton DNA and his interest in searching for one of the lost Seven Legendary Swords that had been so custom to Kirigakure until the first shinobi world war that scattered them and seemingly every other relic.

The maze like way to the Mizukage Tower did little to detain Ashur, he had visited the tower countless times before, and to lose his way would be impossible, entirely. Though he'd cut his sprint to a calm walk as he put himself five meters from the tower's entrance. Taking in a calming breath he'd walk into the tower, find his way to the main lobby, speaking to one of the assistant's behind the desk.

"I wish to have an audience with the Mizukage, I have something very important to present him!"

And for the first time in a day full of running, he had to wait.

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[Nujabes]

He's got a good head on his shoulders. While it was nothing short of common sense, I won't lie and say that I wasn't impressed. Most ninja would have simply jumped at the thought of being offered an exclusive mission, from their Kage, rather than think logically. It was, indeed, a test. However, I saw no reason to mention it explicitly. Instead, I simply smirked. "My thoughts exactly."

Rolling my shoulders, several more pops echoed throughout the room. "Well, good luck with your training and what have you. Keep the file, though."

I had nothing else to say, and so I turned and started walking to the next pair of doors across the room. That is where the 'office' of my personal quarters were.

---

A young blonde, blessed with ocean blue eyes, looked up to the newest arrival. Glancing at the stairs, and not remembering the Mizukage's first guest leaving, she shook her head. "I'm sorry, but the Mizukage is currently in a meeting with another shinobi."

Leaning forward in her seat, pressed against the desk, she pointed toward a series of chairs off to the side. "Please, have a seat and we he will be with you the moment he's available."

[Naitome]

Hai.

Akuharu replied, his mind already on to the next task at hand. Neither ANBU nor successfully completing the Jounin Selections would be easy to accomplish, but with the file clutched beneath his arms, he turned and left the Mizukage's office, determined to complete what lay ahead. Descending the tall stairs, he took his leave, and walked into the insidious fog of the Hidden Mist, plotting and planning. Ready for the next level.

exit.

[KEITH]

I made my way toward the Mizukage's tower, it was the largest building within the entire village, and it also housed the largest and most powerful man within its walls. Surely, that man would be there today, if he wasn't too busy with other things, that is. I simply had nothing better to do today, and was quite bored with how things were around the village currently, so I decided to see if the Mizukage would have a task of me to perform for the village. Surely he did have something for me, just staying in the village and doing paper was below me, it was below my skills.

Just because I was the Gashira of Kirigakure, didn't mean it was my job to handle things that the Mizukage didn't do himself. Though, as his shinobi, I had to do as I was commanded to do, and I would not go against his word just because I wouldn't feel like performing a particular task that was before me. No. I would attend to each task with the utmost efficiency, no matter what I would think of it, but at the same time, I would hope that I had stopped receiving such tasks. By the time my feet would have carried me to the doors of the Mizukage's tower, my ivory hair was ran through by mask that I had typically worn, moving it up from my face and upon the top of my head, figuring that it was rude to wear the mask in the Mizukage's presents, especially when I wasn't assigned a mission yet.

My violet eyes had looked onward as I would push open the door of the tower and make my way into the building, moving toward a desk where people would check in when they had a meeting with the Mizukage. There was someone there, and, how should I approach them? I guess it doesn't matter, I know what I had come here for, and he wasn't going to get in my way.

[ I am here to seek an audience with the Mizukage-sama, if he isn't too busy today. ]

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[Nujabes]

Shishi was quite content with doing her work before the cold, calculating voice from a masked visitor disturbed her. Big, ocean blue eyes raised to greet the man; she blinked several times before tilting her head.

"The Mizukage is still recovering from the incident with the Sanbi," she spoke curtly. "He is accepting visitors, but you'll need to make it quick. He needs to heal."

Nodding to one of the white-robed individuals to her left, which donned a mask not too different from the foreigner's, Hattori was lead up the stairs and into the winding depths of the tower.

When the door slid open and revealed the bandage-wrapped hulk of a Kage, the several medics pouring their chakra into his body ceased, but only for a moment. They resumed their duties once they realized the visitor was one of their own, letting their hands rest on the Mizukage's arms and legs before shifting to his torso. It was a mechanically set routine.

"I apologize for me. . . appearance." Akira was in less that optimal shape, but fit enough. "What is it?" Whether it was a trick of light or perhaps a trick of his mask, Hattori might've seen the unnaturally long sword at the Mizukage's side shiver with excitement. It'd been a while since it' smelled fresh chakra, aside from the trio of medics surrounding it (which, unfortunately, the Mizukage had made it painfully clear were off limits).

[KEITH]

The woman who had been at the desk as I approached it would have been no other than Shishi, a woman in which I would have seen plenty of times before in the past, though this time, it was better to keep things formal than to allow them to go to idle chit-chat. The masked man to the right of Shishi would have me follow him toward a stair case which would lead toward the room that the Mizukage had stayed in. My violet eyes behind my mask had stared into the back of the ANBU that I was following, and as I looked at him, I would feel as if I had some sort of connection with him, like we were the same in some way. As we would have approached the room of the Mizukage, I would simply throw those thoughts away, I had no reason for keeping them, or letting my mind be stuck on foolish, idle thoughts.

Before me would be the Mizukage, wrapped in bandages, still recovering from his wounds, as Shishi had told me. Several medics were taking care of his wounds, seeing the Mizukage in this state was horrible for me to watch, I couldn't help but think that I should have been there to protect him, as his loyal shinobi. Why didn't I accompany the Mizukage to his meeting with the Kages, what was I thinking? Grief had filled me, and the words of the Mizukage would embrace my ears as my eyes would set upon the elegant blade which had lain beside him. . . . Samehade?! How did he acquire the legendary sword? I didn't want to waste the Mizukage's time, been stuck in thought.

Before him and the medics, I would remove my mask to show the Mizukage respect, and to the medics who have chosen to heal him, revealing my face, coupled with my violet eyes. I moved his mask over to the upper left side of my face upon my ivory hair. I would kneel down upon one knee, and look up toward the Mizukage, making direct eye contact with him, with an expression which showed I was strong, though, worried for my Mizukage.

[. . . Mizukage-sama, I was just coming to check in on you, I was curious as to how the meeting with the Kages had gone. . . If I had known that you would come back, in anything close to this condition, I would have been there to fight for you. I'm sorry for not being of use to you.]

My violet eyes would then divert toward the massive blade which had lain next to him, the expression of the Mizukage had meant that it was off-limits, but of course I wouldn't dare think of defying my leader. I was as close as to being like the old shinobi were, I was loyal to my leader, and would do anything he had commanded of me, and in return, I would only seek to have his approval of my work. My eyes then slowly made their way back toward him, and with them had come a question I had for the Mizukage.

[. . . Where did that come from, Mizukage-sama?]

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[Nujabes]

"The summit was fine." Akira's voice was rough, only due to his condition. Most of the superfluous wounds had been taken care of, but the deeper injuries -- those in his muscles, and some even in his bones -- were what had taken so long to heal. The bandages were spotted red in some locations, including over the cuts that lined his face. "We had an unexpected visitor, and a little bit of drama, per say, but it was fine. Kusagakure is now recognized as a Great Nation, and their leader, Blanche Kikkawa, the Shodaime Kusakage."

Despite the events that had taken place merely a day ago, Akira didn't seem to have any resentment for the woman. "As for Samehada, I reclaimed our village's sword from the Kusakage, myself. We had a bit of a skirmish on the outskirt islands."

His eyes set squarely on Hattori. "That means we have three of the legendary seven weapons of Kirigakure. Nuidari was retrieved by Akuharu, and I also acquired Hiramekarei during my travels. Once I am fully healed, I intend to assemble a team to gather the rest."

"As my head jounin, I imagine you have some interest in this, yes?"

[KEITH]

Kusagakure? I had thought that it had been destroyed for the longest, however could it have been brought back? Wasn't all of the original shinobi of that village destroyed as well? Well, just like the Fūma, he had guess that maybe some of them could have survived and slowly revived the village over the years. Doing it beneath the noses of the larger countries, how clever was the Kusakage?

And, just how strong were they? To be able to do battle with the Mizukage, and deliver such injuries to him, despite them not being lethal at all, there must truly have been some powerful people out there within the world. Blanche Kikkawa, the Shodaime Kusakage, surely it was a name that he wouldn't soon forget. Still within his kneeling position, I would continue to listen to the Mizukage, hearing him out as he stated he would plan on recovering the rest of the legendary blades, which had rightfully belonged to Kirigakure.

How did the Kusakage attain the Samehada, though? She seemed interesting, despite the Mizukage only speaking briefly of her. At the moment, I was more interested in what the Mizukage had been saying about the swords, for the longest I had wondered how they would look in person, and how they would feel to hold in person. One of the swords, which had particularly came to mind was the Kubikiribouchou, a sword which would add in my assassinations which I would perform for the Mizukage.

[Of course I would, the Seven Swords are a proud part of Kirigakure's history. I myself had always wished to wield one of the swords. But, you say that Akuharu-san has found one already? I guess I am behind the Chuunin, just a little bit.]

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[Nujabes]

"No need to sound so bleak," he assured Hattori. "That Chuunin is rather impressive - top of his class, and he single-handedly won the entire exams by a landslide. What's more, he wields the Sharingan with an innate skill the likes of even some of their most profound prodigies do not."

"All of these factors, including the imminent return of our most prized possessions, are heavily in our favor." He paused. "Truly, the Mist's return is nigh."

Even beneath the bandages that covered his face, Akira's grin was quite visible. His one eye, still locked on Hattori, seemed emblazoned with a new fervor. "Kiba, Homatsu, Kabutowari, and Kubikiri Bouchou are still missing. If you're looking for a mission, I would suggest locating and acquiring one of those. Otherwise," he grimaced as one of the medic's healing hands reached a truly pained area on his ribs, "What is it you needed?"

[KEITH]

My lord would reassure me that I was just simply overthinking about the matter, and with his reassurance, a smirk would come across my face, I just had to work harder. With that, as my lord would continue to speak, I would slowly raise back up to my feet, to stand tall and firm. I would have to meet this boy—Uchiha Akuharu, of course I have known of the shinobi who had housed in Kirigakure, but I have never gotten a chance to meet them all personally. Maybe it's time that I would start doing that, perhaps.

[You're right, and when we do get back on top of the world, we will be even stronger and greater than we were in Kouketsu's era. I know that you can lead us down the right path for that.]

My violet hues would then move back toward the sword which were upon the side of him, he had hit the nail upon the head, besides looking to see how he was, I also wanted to take up a mission now while I still had free time. My pockets were looking kind of empty these days, like MC Hammer. Samehada was indeed a beautiful blade, and a very strong one, it was worthy of being the lords own personal weapon, if that's what he would have chosen for it, but he also had two others sword. Another which was one of the Seven Swords, and the great Hebi, which he had always carried with him, no matter what.

With my attention back to the lord once again, I would answer him.

[You're always a head of me. Yes, another thing that I did come here for was to receive a mission. I haven't been able to get out of the village for a while and stretch my legs, and going to looking for one of the Seven Swords would be an honorable task that I would be up for. I suppose that I will set my sights upon Homatsu and Kubikiri Bouchou, since those two are my favorite.]

I guess that was all that I wanted to know and check upon for the day, I would wait to see what the reply of my lord was before I would set off upon the journey to receive the swords. I would if I should attempt to bring one of the Kirigakure shinobi with me. . . .

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[Nujabes]

Akira flinched. Apparently, one of the medics had hit a soft spot. "They're both rather large weapons, Hattori, especially Kubikiri Bouchou. You'd need some extensive training if you were going t wield them accurately."

Most of the swords were relatively "ridiculous" in terms of size, but that is what made them stand out the most. You would never forget a blade nearly six feet long -- never. Mastering them would be tedious, but necessary, if Kirigakure was to reemerge as the power it once was.

"But, there's something that I feel you should know. A man appeared at the summit." His voice dropped, becoming deep. "It was the Shodaime. Kouketsu has returned, for one reason or another, and I have half a mind that he'll be attempting to dip his fingers in our business."

[KEITH]

My lord had spoken true, if I were able to get my hands on either of the swords I wished for, I wouldn't be able to wield the easily without the proper training. Going into a serious battle with a weapon I hadn't mastered could be seriously dangerous, for me that is, and since I did actually plan on getting one of these bad babies, I would need to start training now. The lord had been a rather large male with an impressive build, hadn't he learned a Taijutsu style that required him to be stronger than normal to use? I was sure if it, but I couldn't put my finger upon the name of it, it simply just slipped my mind for now.

But, what was I going to do to prepare for wielding such a blade?

[None of my exercise routines has anything to do with building more muscle and strength, I only work on toning and keeping my agility. What would you suggest, Mizukage-sama?]

Before my very eyes, the Mizukage was slowly being healed, though I had wondered how long that it would actually take. We would be in a bad position if someone had randomly attacked the village, and the Mizukage was unable to help us. Though, we should have the power to fight for our lord, and we shouldn't need to depend upon him. As he would continue to speak, I had only listened to what he had to say, and when he had mentioned the Shodaime Mizukage—Uchiha Kouketsu, a chill had went down my spine, he was in deed a powerful shinobi, but why would he bother with our plans?

[Why is that? I thought that he had died a long time ago. Does he no longer care about his family—Kirigakure?]

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